Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Limestone Township, Illinois

Limestone Township’s own rules

• Building permitRequired

  Projects requiring a building permit on unincorporated land within Limestone Township.

  • The guide says building activity may require a permit and directs applicants to contact staff if unsure whether a specific project requires one.
  • The source limits the statement to unincorporated county areas.

  “Building activity in the unincorporated areas of the County may require a building permit. Below are examples of projects which require a building permit, however if you are unsure as to whether your specific project requires a building permit please contact a staff person.”

• Owner-builder exemptionAvailable

  Homeowners completing their own work on unincorporated land within Limestone Township.

  • This is an exemption from county contractor registration, not an exemption from building-permit requirements or other rules.
  • The source does not establish the rule inside incorporated municipalities.

  “Homeowners completing their own work are not required to be registered by the County, for complete details regarding the Contractor’s Registration program contact the Registration Coordinator at (815) 937-2940, extension 3.”

• Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

  Unincorporated land within Limestone Township; incorporated municipalities within the township may have separate codes.

  • The County guide identifies county codes, including the 2003 International Residential Code, 2003 International Building Code, 2005 National Electrical Code, 2004 Illinois Plumbing Code, and other listed codes.
  • The source does not establish applicability inside incorporated municipalities.

  “Building Codes have been adopted by the County”

• InspectionsRequired

  Permitted construction on unincorporated land within Limestone Township.

  • Residential required inspections may differ from non-residential projects.
  • Inspection timing and necessary inspections vary by project; the guide requests at least 48 hours advance notice.

  “Inspections are required periodically throughout the construction period. Listed below are examples of inspections that may be required. Residential required inspections may differ from those non-residential projects, for information regarding which inspections are necessary for a specific project please contact a staff person.”

• Zoning districtsPublished (with conditions)

  County zoning districts on unincorporated land within Limestone Township.

  • The County states that its zoning ordinance is part of the County Code and is available online through Municode.
  • The County also warns that the online version may be out of date and recommends confirming accuracy with the County Clerk.
  • The source does not identify district names or establish municipality zoning districts within the township.

  “The Kankakee County Zoning Ordinance is part of the Kankakee County Code.”

• Who permits septicLocal (with conditions)

  Private sewage-disposal systems in Limestone Township where administered by the Kankakee County Health Department.

  • The Kankakee County Health Department administers permits and inspections; variances are decided by the Kankakee County Board of Health.

  “KCHD Issues septic system permits, conducts inspections to ensure proper installation”

• Septic inspectionRequired

  New or altered private sewage-disposal systems in Limestone Township where administered by the Kankakee County Health Department.

  • The Department requires 24 to 48 hours notice for inspection.
  • The installer or homeowner constructing the system must be onsite.
  • The system cannot be covered before final Health Department approval.

  inspection notice: 24-48 hours

  “The system shall not be covered until final approval is given by the Health Department.”

• Well permitRequired

  Construction or deepening of water wells in Limestone Township where the Kankakee County Health Department is the local health department.

  • The application instructions direct drillers to mail the permit application to the local health department when the county is listed by Illinois Department of Public Health.
  • The source lists fees of $100 permit, $100 inspection, and $50 water sample; the sample fee is refundable upon receipt of a new-well sample collected by the property owner or driller.

  well permit fee: 100 USD · well inspection fee: 100 USD · water sample fee: 50 USD (Refunded upon receipt of a new-well sample collected by property owner or well driller.)

  “The following explanations will assist you in completing the application for a permit to construct or deepen a water well”

• Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

  Land-development subdivisions and divisions of property on unincorporated land within Limestone Township.

  • Projects may require review by several agencies or departments.
  • After review, projects are forwarded to the Planning, Zoning and Agriculture Committee for recommendation and the County Board makes the final decision.
  • The source does not establish municipal subdivision rules.

  “Projects involving the development of land or the division of property may need to be reviewed by several agencies and/or departments. Once the review process for these projects are complete they are forwarded to the Planning, Zoning and Agriculture Committee for a recommendation to the County Board.”

• Driveway accessLimited

  New driveway or property access associated with development on unincorporated land within Limestone Township.

  • Culverts, right-of-way improvements, and entrance permits are reviewed and approved by the applicable road authority.
  • A completed referral form from the appropriate road authority is required if applicable.

  “Culverts, right-of-way improvements and entrance permits are reviewed and approved by the appropriate road authority.”

• Building in a floodplainLimited

  Development in floodplain areas on unincorporated land within Limestone Township.

  • Floodplain permits may require approval from the Army Corps of Engineers, Illinois Department of Natural Resources, or both.
  • The source does not identify a universal county floodplain-permit rule or incorporated-municipality rules.

  “Floodplain permits may need the approval of either the Army Corp of Engineers or the Illinois Department of Natural Resources or both.”

• Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

  Private sewage-disposal permits in Limestone Township where administered by the Kankakee County Health Department.

  • The listed fee is on the Department's private-sewage application; no effective date is stated.
  • This finding does not establish building-permit fees or municipal permit fees.

  private sewage disposal system permit fee: 200 USD

  “PERMIT FEE - $200.00 CASH_____ CHECK #______ CREDIT ___APPV. #________ PERMIT #_________________ APPROVED BY____________ DATE ISSUED ____________”

• Permit processPublished (with conditions)

  County building permits on unincorporated land within Limestone Township.

  • Plans are required to obtain a building permit.
  • Some projects require scaled plans and the listed general and building-plan information.
  • The source does not establish an incorporated-municipality process.

  “The Planning Department is charged with administering the building permit process. In order to obtain a building permit the submission of plans are required. Some projects require that plans be drawn to scale and include the following information as it applies to the project.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Limestone Township or Kankakee County directly.

• Certificate of occupancy — Occupancy of structures in Limestone Township.
• Local zoning — Limestone Township, including any incorporated territory within its township boundaries.
• Minimum dwelling size — Dwellings within Limestone Township.
• Minimum lot size — Lots within Limestone Township.
• Setbacks — Structures within Limestone Township.

Each answer was extracted from an official source and independently re-checked against that source by a second reviewer. That is an evidence check, not legal advice. Rules change; confirm with the authority before you buy or build.